Tucson Rodeo-Here We Come!

Sat., Feb 22, was the 89th Tucson Rodeo.  I put on my hat, boots, boot cut jeans, western shirt, and my cowgirl jewelry and I was ready to go to the rodeo and pretend I used to be a rodeo queen!  Doug knows how much I enjoy getting into a western character when I am out west.  I think I love rodeos more than most people.  In our travels, we find that most areas of the real west, like Wyoming, Texas, Arizona, and Montana, remind us of a more wholesome way of life.  Cowboys/girls strongly believe in God and country.  There is a cowboy church before the rodeo and signs of the cross are a dominant symbol in cowgirl jewelry and on purses plus on cowboy belt buckles.  The American flag is flying strong as it is carried around the rodeo arena by a young lady or man on horseback.  The national anthem is always sung.  Makes us proud.  This was another really professional rodeo as these cowboys/girls work on their scores for the national finals in Las Vegas, NV, in December.

 

It was a beautiful day for a rodeo! A bit hot, but lots of sun and the rodeo was in the open which made for nice good picture taking.  We were seated right across from the bull and horse pens so we got good shots as the gates opened.  Before the pro-rodeo, there was a short junior rodeo.  Teenage guys rode some bulls and broncos, but the cutest event was the junior barrel racing.  One little girl was only 5 years old!  She handled that horse like it was nothing.  She didn’t make any time but gave it her all and she will be a real rodeo contender one of these days.  The little girl in the picture below is only 9  years old! Amazing! So much fun to watch these sweet little girls and their horses, dressed like little cowgirls with their pigtails flying in the breeze.  

Then the pro-rodeo began.  It started off with bronco busting.  Then there was team roping and steer wrestling.   

  

    

Then came my favorite event. Barrel Racing!  I love to watch the horses in action as they speed around the 3 barrels.  They seem to know what to do and the whole event is based on their speed.  There is true beauty in  a horse in action.  I could watch barrel racing all day!

 

 

The final event was the bull riding. This is my second favorite event.  There are some MEAN bulls out there and it sure takes some tough cowboys to ride them!! 

   

Another fun rodeo to add to our adventures!